Unfortunately, it is in human nature to gossip and launch rumors. Relying on the economic context that we all know, some even try to use the popularity of my Blog (and the freedom I give to comment in it), as an amplifier to give some legitimacy to their “first hand” news. So below is a statement […]
Archive for the 'Builders' Category
Big Dog Motorcycles Adjusting Its Production. Not Stopping It
Published by April 1st, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Open Letter From Tom Zimberoff To California Senator Fran Pavley
Published by March 31st, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.On March 23rd, I reported on a new bill introduced by California State Senator Fran Paveley (D) intendig to require all motorcycles (beginning with model year 2000) to be tested by July 1, 2011 under the California State’s vehicle “smog check” program. Below is a letter from best seller author Tom zimberoff (Art Of The […]
Custom Chrome Europe 2009 Dealer Show
Published by March 30th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.Industry friend and “Motographer” Horst Rosler reports from last weekend Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show in Mainz, Germany. “It was again Custom Motorcycle Mayhem in Mainz/Germany with one of the biggest and most extraordinary bike show and exhibition during the CCE Dealer Show. The event includes the AMD Championship of Custom Bike Building. The 2009 […]
Via your comments I know too well that Indian is a brand every biker is passionate about. In this Blog I read all kind of comments (especially after I reported on my Kings Mountain factory visit and expressed positive feelings regarding the new venture), everything from skeptical comments to unconditional encouragement and support. Now is the time […]
On March 21, 09 In the New York Times, Susanna Hamner published an interesting article under the title “Harley, You’re Not Getting Any Younger”. Mostly factual, this article is listing the difficulties of Harley dealing with its bad subprime loans and aging clientele (average age is now 49). Jim Ziemer, Harley-Davidson & CEO (who will […]
Legendary motorcyclist Malcolm Smith defies the CPSC Federal code signed into law in August 2008 by former President George W. Bush outlawing the sale of motorcycles and related products for use by kids (thank you Mike).
Chuck Palumbo Building And Riding For Our Soldiers
Published by March 27th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.Chuck Palumbo is a former WWE Super Star Pro-Wrestler and the owner of CP Kustoms. After visiting Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. and learning of Lt. Christopher Palumbo’s (Chuck’s younger brother) heroic efforts in Iraq, in which he was awarded the Silver Star, Chuck was inspired to do something special to thank our troops. From […]
A Very Wild Trike Out Of A Comic Book
Published by March 26th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.In a rally like Daytona it’s quite unusual to see a trike attracting as many people as your typical 2-wheel new “show bike of the year”. Well, I had to check out this one and met with Canadian Fred Vaillancourt (a.k.a.The Rat) from the Rat Shop who explained to me that he loves to build […]
Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley Davidson Million Dollar Markdown
Published by March 26th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.Daytona Harley-Davidson is the number 1 volume dealer of new Harleys in the world. So, logically, the dealership has a lot of trade-ins. Some of these bikes have only a couple of thousand miles and carry the balance of the factory warranty. So, from Friday March 27th to Sunday March 29th, hundreds of Harleys will […]
Loving this style of bikes? Looking for old cool parts but can’t find them or have no time to visit all swap meets around the country? I am going to give you one of the best addresses of the industry, one that most professionals even don’t know. They are from Japan where since 1982 they […]
Do You Need And Deserve A Full Biker Makeover?
Published by March 24th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.And I mean a full bike and gear makeover. Like your bike is still desperately stock 5 years after you wrote a check to your dealer or is aging faster than a rat bike. Like your riding gear, leather jacket, jeans , boots etc were bought new before I even started in this business, meaning […]
Free To Wander. A Chopper Documentary Movie.
Published by March 24th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Videos.A group of friends hitting the road on their old school chops to ride around Lake Michigan.But it’s about much more than that. A simple poetic film about the chopper life with very good riding footage. Featuring Paul Cox (Paul Cox Industries). Keino Sasaki (Keino Cycles). Paul Wideman (Bare Knuckle Choppers). Watch the trailer. The DVD is 60 minutes, […]
All Harley-Davidson Raffles In One Place
Published by March 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Having a lot of time available, temporarily jobless, or simply feeling lucky? Now there is a way to know of and participate in all Harley-Davidson raffles around the country. The site is called Harley Davidson Raffles. And if you win because I told you, you owe me to send me your Harley for customization.
New And Interesting. Cafe Racer Kit.
Published by March 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Chassis, Customs and Editorial.A few months ago I suggested a couple of US fellow builders looking for new ideas to think about a Café racer Rolling chassis or Kit. And here we go. A French company called “Jewel Racer” (I didn’t know them until now) just released a Café Racer Kit to turn a Harley XR1200 into a […]
This info was provided to me courtesy of Sukoshi Fahey at Avon Tyres Sizing is confusing as there are 5 methods in use. There are three technical organizations that all manufacturers adhere to. The organizations that set the parameters/ranges for permissible ranges for all sizes are the European Tire & Rim Technical Organization, the Japanese […]
Harley-Davidson And MV Agusta/Cagiva. What’s Going On?
Published by March 21st, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.On June 5th, 2008 I posted on the acquisition of all Italian MV Agusta Group shares by Harley-Davidson for a total consideration of approximately 70 million Euros (about $110 million). At the time, all speculations were made about the way Harley-Davidson was going to exploit this acquisition. Officially, we only knew that Harley-Davidson, Inc. intended […]
Roland Sands New Moto Foot Pegs
Published by March 21st, 2009 in Builders, Controls, Customs and Editorial.An aggressive, yet clean look for these new “Moto Foot Pegs” born from Roland’s love for dirt track bikes. “Mud inspired”, they are designed for strength and durability. Made out of billet aluminum alloy with a machined featherweight ventilated body for performance and grip. And in case you hit those corners a little bit to […]
Is it because none of the factory Harley-Davidson models fits in the bed of a Signature Harley Ford F-150, or simply because the Harley logo would sell almost anything? Here comes the International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Editiion Semi Truck. This heavy hauler monster truck was just unveiled at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentuckyy. […]
Over a quarter million XS650s in about 40 different variations were produced by Yamaha between 1970 and 1985. The XS650 Big Twin has a worldwide cult following due to its almost indestructible parallel engine. Durability in a classic look and abundance of cheap parts make the XS650 the […]
Fulfilling Your Dream Of Owning A Vintage Motorcycle
Published by March 19th, 2009 in Builders and Editorial.Vintage motorcycles are very expensive to buy, and our recession didn’t change anything about their historic values. If you are a Classic Motorcycle enthusiast, a Timeless Vintage Motorcycle may be the right solution for you to fulfill your dream without visiting your banker (who doesn’t want to see you, anyway) or putting your personal relation […]
Legend Of The Motorcycle 2009 Is Canceled
Published by March 18th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Industry insiders consider this “Concours D’Elegance” as one of the best events of the year, and I agree with them. Sadly, I learn that because of the effect of the world economy, which you can translate by “due to difficulty getting sponsors”, this event is postponed to 2010. This show taking place at the gorgeous Ritz […]
Indian Motorcycle Expands In France, Monaco, Luxembourg And Belgium
Published by March 17th, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Events.Indian Motorcycle announced the appointment of its first exclusive importer/distributor in Europe. The well known Paul Chedid Automotive Group has formed Indian Motorcycle France to promote the selling of the Indian Chiefs, Indian Motorcycle Accessories and Indian Motorcycle Apparel in France, Monaco, Luxembourg and Belgium. For over twenty years, the Chedid Automotive Group has imported […]
22nd Annual Donnie Smith Bike Show Is March 28/29th
Published by March 17th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Events.The Midwest is still freezing. Backyard/garage/pro-builders have been grinding, welding & wrenching all winter. They can’t wait to see how their new creations are going to be received. And the Donnie Smith Bike Show, already in its 22nd edition, is one of the first they can attend to promote their custom sleds. As usual, there […]
Daytona Biker Fusion Raised Over $24,000 for Soldier’s Angels
Published by March 16th, 2009 in Builders, Customs, Editorial and Events.I guess the only thing missing (maybe not) in my former posts about the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse’s Biker Fusion party during Bike week, was the amount raised. Now you know that more than $24,000 were raised (donated by sponsors, provided by auctions, including a $10,000 donation from Seminole Tribe of Florida leader Max Oceola). The […]
Ace Trike. Romance And Panache Of A Bygone Era.
Published by March 15th, 2009 in Builders, Customs and Editorial.Cycle Car is the name that Europeans used for Trike and they were very popular in England, France, Italy. Germaby & Austria between 1910 and the late 1930’s. As a matter of fact they offered a big tax advantage – reduced registration and annual license versus small cars or “voiturettes” of the time – propelling […]
“Cyril, I just got back from Daytona. Today, it is minus 10 F in South Dakota. It is hard to believe that there can be a 100- degree difference between two spots in our country. It’s too bad that we didn’t get to meet up in Daytona, but there is always next year. Have a […]
